NASHVILLE – Well, it's Week 4 and I know some folks are pretty down.
I feel it, I see it, and I hear it.
The Titans desperately need a win to change the mood.
The next chance will come on Sunday against the Texans in Houston.
While we wait, this Tuesday's Titans mailbag is here.
Here's the link to submit questions: CLICK HERE.
Cody Russell from Hendersonville, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim, I hope all is well for you outside of the Titans organization, because (as we've seen) it's pretty rough as of late. Honestly, I feel for you in these trying times, because you catch a lot of the frustration of the fans. I love hearing your take and appreciate your work! Instead of focusing on the negative we're in at the moment, I wanted to get your thoughts on the rookie production from the Colts game. Personally, I saw a glimpse of what's to come for this team, and that was something to hang my hat on. My hope is we start to see more of that as the season goes on, but I'm not feeling great right now about this season with how thin the depth is of the team. I see the magic being built, just need to stay the course for now. Do you feel the same way?
Jim: Hey Cody. I appreciate the opinions, and all those who read and write it. Most of the stuff in this mailbag has been negative of late, which is what comes with the territory when the team is 0-3. The Titans need to win some football games to help change the subject. I think one thing Titans fans should feel good about is the rookie class, and some of the young players. And I'm not just talking about Cam. Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike have played well. I like the looks of Gunnar Helm. Kevin Winston Jr has been sidelined for a while, but I can pretty much promise you he's going to be really good once he is healthy. When he was on the field in camp, he stood out. Others, like Femi Oladejo, need time. I know there are a lot of discouraging things surrounding the team right now. But this team will be rebuilt with the draft, and the 2025 class is one reason to be optimistic.
Chandler Summar from Yokohama, Japan
Question: Hello from Japan. Titans season ticket holder who moved away for a few years but still watches all the games! I'll be back in time for the new stadium and have a question about Cam Ward's recent comments concerning the turf. Will his recent comments about his issues with slipping on the turf make any difference on what is installed in the new stadium? Looked like he slipped a few times against the Colts too.
Jim: Hi Chandler. Good to hear from you, from Japan. Thanks for still keeping up. Cam did make his feelings known about the turf last week, and you're right – he did have an issue again on Sunday. He's going to have to figure it out with his footwear or something, though, because the plan is for turf inside the new stadium, too.
Scott Caldwell from Dresden, Ohio
Question: Dear Jim. I'm not going to address the usual penalties, nor weak offensive line play.
My question this week is: Why the horrible tackling by the defense? These are basic techniques by professionals, who should've shut down plays ,when they obviously had Players in their grasps.
E.g. Daniel Jones several times and Pittman several times. Where is that swarming defense in times past to assist this poor tackling?
Years of offensive lineman number one draft picks that have been bust, or very mediocre, have cost the team getting Super star defensive players in the draft, forcing the acquisitions of old used up overpaid free agents that never pan out.
Yes, big Jeff worked, (despite his penalties and lack of current sacks), but nobody worthy of mention since.
I usually would say, looks like Titans once again will be looking for an offensive tackle next year as their number one draft pick,but I feel it is time to to draft a defensive game wrecker.
Love my titans ,...but damn!!!
Jim: Tackling was bad, I agree. I counted four on the long Taylor run. I always expect tackling to be sloppy in Week 1, but it should be better in Week 3. We agree it needs to improve. … The o-line needs to be better, but keep in mind the team was playing without two of its starters on the right side. … This team definitely needs more players.
Chris Malone from Indianapolis, Indiana
Question: I understand that Sweat has a legitimate ankle injury. However, i'm curious if his injured reserve designation has as much to do with him being out of shape as it does with being injured.. I hope that is not the case. It doesn't matter what your profession. We are all paid to be prepared to do our jobs as professionals. No one expects him to be a fitness model as a defensive lineman. But hopefully he matures and takes his conditioning seriously in the future. He's got examples right there on the team that he could follow. Simmons and Latham both came to camp in great shape. He's got to do his part. He's a good player, but I don't want him to be satisfied with that. I want him to strive to be the best he can be for himself and for his teammates.
Jim: Hey Chris. T'Vondre was actually on track to play on Sunday, then he had a setback in Thursday's practice. So, the team decided to shut him down by putting him on Injured Reserve, which means he'll be out for at least four games. Of course that means his conditioning will be impacted. Not ideal. The hope is JC will be back sooner than that, possibly this weekend, per Callahan from Monday's presser.
Tobias Hildesheim from Hamburg, Germany
Question: Hey Jim, I think you'll get enough "fire the coach"-mails this week, so how about this one:
This will be a long season. Coaching's not good, the players aren't good, our receivers have butterfingers and the defense couldn't stop granny walking to the grocery store at the moment.
But! We have us a really good rookie class! So why don't we use this season to give them as much experience as possible? I'm looking at Restrepo especially. Let's find out how good his connection with Cam is in real NFL-games. It can't get worse anyway. And let's try some more spectacular play-calls! If we lose anyway, than lose with style!
Cheers!
Jim: Hey Tobias. Love all the questions from all over the globe. I think in time you'll see the team give more guys a chance, kind of like how we saw Kyzir White and Jalyn Armour-Davis play on Sunday. Xavier is in a different category, of course, being a rookie. I know a lot of folks want to see him. In time I could see it happening. I know he's been busting it in practices.
Sydep Singh from Miami, Florida
Question: Jim. I am writing you from Miami. This is my first year as a Titans fan, and became one to support Cam Ward. I hate to say this but I have never seen such incompetent football as I have in these three Titan games, and I have never seen such poor coaching. Just off the top of my head, Callahan calls 3 passes from inside the Titans own 5 yard line against the Broncos at the end of the first half, and instead of going in with the lead, the Titans give the Broncos points and go on to lose. Callahan does not challenge a clear catch by a Titans wide receiver against the Rams because he does not know that one elbow equals two feet. At the end of the first half against the Colts, on 4th and 1 from Colts 40, Callahan does not go for it but instead inexplicably calls for a field goal. The titans then have a delay of game penalty and miss the field goal. These are just examples, and this is not to even mention that the Titans are the most penalized team in football (which I guess I just mentioned). There are many, many more examples I could point to, but this is literally the worst brand of football I have ever seen. I know in the NFL head coaches very rarely are fired midseason but at what point is enough enough? I don't know why anyone would want to be tortured enough to pay to watch this football team and believe me I want them to be good. It literally is torture watching this on a weekly basis.
Jim: Hi Sydep. Welcome aboard.
George Steiner from Jackson, Mississippi
Question: Jim, I've never written in before but I read the mailbags often. I'm 14 and this Titans team has totally collapsed during my childhood. When the fans on here wanted to fire Callahan earlier for his dumb mistakes, I disagreed. I wanted to give him time to work out the growing pains with ward. However, after the Colts halftime sequence, it is clear Callahan has no business coaching any level of organized football. He think a game clock will just magically increase in time in the final two minutes. My question is just if the titans have the guts to fire him now or will they let this dumpster fire season burn on. And to think this team was a game away from the Super Bowl not too long ago… This organization will be lucky to ever get to the Super Bowl in my lifetime. This organization rots from top to bottom and it needs a total reset. Honestly I wouldn't hate if they kept Callahan just to tank to the number one pick. That might be the only thing this season will accomplish.
Jim: Hi George. I appreciate you writing in. I give you credit for sticking with the team during the tough times. I remember when I was your age – that was a long time ago – and most folks in school were bandwagon fans, always jumping on the winners. The Titans have made your early teenage years as an NFL fan rough, I know. We'll see what happens going forward, but you have time. The bet here is you'll see the Titans win multiple Super Bowls in your lifetime. If you're 70 and it hasn't happened, come find me. I'll give you $100.
Michael Saling from Bee Spring, Kentucky
Question: Yellow Jim! Not so much as a question as a statement. Well I guess there is a question wrapped into this lol. How in the world can we go from a colt timeout to a titan timeout and still get delay of game before we can even get the ball snapped!!!? I mean it is the silly stuff like this that I know I am not the only fan that drives us insane! We have a quarterback that can make plays but in order to make plays he has to be in his feet and we are giving up sack after sack with what has been said is the best offensive line coach! I just don't understand this coaching! Come on in week one loss and let everyone know you don't even know the rule on a catch etc etc! I normally only vent in the privacy of my house but this coaching staff in year and 2.5 games have not shown any positive momentum it's the same ole same ole every week!!! I mean come on all these penalties it's just so very frustrating. Anyway thanks for letting me vent.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Michael. I'll be honest, I'd never heard of Bee Spring, Kentucky, until today. I know it's the first submission from there in this mailbag.
Rob Haye from Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Question: Hi Jim, long time reader and may have dropped a few emails over the years to your ask jim mailbag.
So waiting 3 games to see how we looked before finally coming to conclusion this team is just plain bad.
Sure, there are a couple of individual player bright spots, but honestly, its getting harder and harder to get excited about wasting 3 hrs every sunday hoping for a miracle.
Lets face it:
Coaching is just bad, Callahan may be a head coach, but he is not an offensive coach and clearly is showing he cant do both, so the organization needs to say one or the other or neither.
I would love to hear his thought process on why he wanted to take the ball after winning the toss, did he think he finally solved the caramilk secret and the offense was going to light it up ?
No instead were 3rd and nine on opening drive, and then rookie's do what rookies do, throw a pick 6 from our own 20 yard line.
Next on a 4th and 1 , lets watch indy take a time out and then oh wait we don't know what were doing. so we'll take a time out, oh and then wait for it, lets get a delay of game penalty..seriously.
So now we try a 64 yard field goal and miss to give indy the ball on our side of the field.
Then were down 3 TD's in 2nd half and we waste over 7 plus minutes on a scoring drive, just no sense of urgency at all..
Defense, who are we kidding we don't have one and we didn't have one last year either.
Snead, waste of 100M all he knows how to do is get holding calls.
Ridley another 100M talent who seems to have now forgot how to catch the ball.
So here's the big question, what are we doing with next years 1st draft pick in the 2026 draft..
Its mind-numbing to see how much people are being paid in the NFL and this is the product being put on the field by this organization year after year.
Jim: Hey Rob. I admit, I don't like draft questions in September. We don't know where the team is going to finish, and we really don't know which college players will be available. I also understand if the season keeps going the way it's going, I'm going to get more and more of these.
D Sadlee from Horn Lake, Mississippi
Question: Greetings Jim from Horn Lake Mississippi
Fiest and foremost, Thank you for listening to us fans rant a rave each week
I don't have a question. just frustration. i know that this is very early in season but I'm getting frustrated with the play of receivers not catching the ball Cam is doing his best with the "not so best" talent that he has around him it is very frustrating every week to see penalties and miscues and dropped passes each week i
love this team with all of my heart and soul but it is just heart wrenching to keep losin . The fans deserve better and expect better. i would like to get excited about a win like the Browns fans did this week. Not sure how we get there but we need some wins. Thank you for you time.
Jim: Hey D. No doubt this team needs wins! Definitely needs to catch the ball better, too!
Wyatt VanDusen from Blue Springs, Missouri
Question: I'll admit its not a question. Its more of a confidence booster for the team. My name is Wyatt, I've been a Titans fan since 2008 when Chris Johnson was drafted out of East Carolina. I have no idea how much goes into the game, as I'm not a player. But I commend all the Titans players for all the effort and time they put into the game. That first win is never easy when the team has been so close. It's right there and I can see it. I believe in everyone and this team. I don't care about the record I care about this team. And I believe in this team. Keep your heads held high. Keep pushing forward.
Jim: Now this is what I call spreading good karma …
Charles Johns from Hermitage, Tennessee
Question: Hi Jim. I just erased a complete rant I wanted to send about the HC. I figured you would have enough of those so sending this instead.
If you're looking for any positives, the #Titans yards per play went up every game, 2.4, 3.9 and 4.3. Also sacks have improved every game, 6, 5 and 4. Cam passing yards 112, 175 and 219. Cam completion% 42.9, 57.6, 60.5. Points per game 12, 19 and 20. Penalties per game 13, 10 and 8. Bad but better. #TitanUp
Jim: This mailbag is suddenly overflowing with optimism!
Jack Walker from Calabasas, California
Question: Hey Jim, I'm going to start every mailbag message with a positive. Chimere Dike, AGAIN!! Now back to Realityville. Jim I've been a franchise fan since long before Memphis. I've seen the Pardee and Whisenhunt meltdowns. But something is different this time. Something is wrong, badly wrong. In the past it's always been a bad D, or lack of playmakers or terrible special teams. But today, there's just nothing positive. I know, everyone in the building will spin the "magnificent young franchise QB" thing but even that's marketing hype. Management to coaching to players... I don't see the talent, effort and desire I've seen in the past. And look at the roster of former Titans players who now play well for other teams. We're not a talent incubator, we're a talent killer. If I were Amy, I'd personally call Jon Gruden and get him in the building by Wednesday. And to be honest, Borgonzi should get a matching pink slip next week for his failed 2025 draft.
Jim: Failed draft? This makes me think you haven't been paying attention out there, Jack.
Kalani Clemente from Aiea, Hawaii
Question: Aloha Jim. Long time Oiler/Titan fan I know it is only week three and going into week four, a lot more football left. The next two games are away and hopefully we can get the wins. Cam will get better and every week you see the progress. How do see this week's game with the Texans, defensive battle or both offenses moving the ball?. Mahalo for all that you do. TOUCHDOWN !!!!!!!!!!!!! TITANS
Jim: Aloha and Mahalo, Kalani! This is a great question. I can't see a shootout, because both teams have struggled scoring. The Texans might be 0-3, but they've been in all three games and could be 3-0. I think it's a tough matchup, unfortunately. But, hey, the Titans are due.
Mike Knecht from Highland, New York
Question: Hi Jim. Been a while since I wrote in. Sorry about the loss of your father. Just have to say this is getting hard to watch. This team has no discipline, or heart. Living in New York I have to pay a lot of money to watch this team. Wanted to wait to say anything, but can't hold it in anymore. At least under Vrabel we were competitive. Hate to say, but I am on the fire Cally side now. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel? Thank you for everything you do for Titans Nation. One last thing, can we get Chestnut more touches?
Jim: I appreciate it, Mike. It's been a different football season without my dad for sure. Not sure how much Chestnut's workload will go up, but Tyjae Spears will be eligible to come off IR in time for the Arizona game on October 5, as long as he's healthy.
Owen Barron from Milton, Delaware
Question: Hello Jim. I just went all the way to Nashville from Delaware to see the Titans play the colts and honestly, I was just glad to see a TD pass from Cam. The game also made me realize that the titans had to start by playing 3 high caliber football teams and our next 3 don't seem as tough as these past three. Anyways, my question is do you think the titans could even it out to 3-3 just like that? Is there specific things that would make this easier for this feat to be achieved? Anyways, I hate the eagles fans here, and TITAN UP.
Jim: Hey Owen. Hope you enjoyed Nashville at least. You saw a dreadful game, so sorry about that. So what's next? Hard to say, based on what we've seen so far. I actually think the Texans are still a good team. They've lost some close games, but their defense is tough and they have players. And while the schedule looks a little more favorable coming up, just imagine what teams are saying that have the Titans on their upcoming schedule. Just saying. The Titans need to change this.
Terry Anderson from Edmonton, Kentucky
Question: Hope all is well, so we have the best offensive line coach but still have a terrible offensive line. Doesn't matter who is at quarterback if you can't protect him. In the immortal words of Sir Charles, this team is turrble. Our coach is on the hot seat. I like Callahan but it looks as if he has no clue. Build the team through the draft is what we heard from the new management. Looks like another top 5 pick year. Bears look to have the Cowboys beat and Saints are still winless as well. A lot of season left to go. This team has no leadership. Another off season looking for a coach coming as well. Another rookie quarterback who will have to learn a new style in his early career. Hope to see some improvement in this offense quickly.
Jim: Good to hear from you, Terry.
Jeffrey Busby from Terrell, Texas
Question: It has been a while since I was last on here. I thank You fer all You do. I have a question and a thought of what is happening to the Titans this year. The question first. What do You thank of the backup quarterback?
My thoughts are this :
1) the coach should have not tried the kicker to kick a field goal at a distance that He could not make
2) the coach should have pulled the quarterback and put in the backup if he is getting sacked so many times.
3) the team keeps saying We should do better and that all falls on the coach and his coaching.
4) She (meaning the owner)may need to start looking fer a new coach
What do You think?
Always have a great day and take The Lord with You.
Jim: Hey Jeffrey. Hoping we don't see the back-up QB – I like watching Cam play.
I appreciate the good wishes.
Bob Luciano from Huntersville, North Carolina
Question: Hi Jim, you have been great to answer my questions last year and 2 weeks ago.
I am a lifelong Oilers and Titans fan who sees hope for the future. Cam Ward, horrible int early yet put it behind him and keeps doing good things. We have an NFL quarterback to build around.
You can only be judged on your actions. Callahan is not ready to be an NFL head coach. The second time in 2 games that his decision making before the half cost the team points.
The penalties continue to plague the Titans. When asked about the amount of penalties the past 2 years his response, "I am trying this and that and that, etc... " The correct answer is, "The coaching staff has not done a good enough job. We have to find a way to fix it. That is our job."
The difference in the 2 responses shows maturity and takes accountability. His response is basically, "It's not my fault look at all of the things I am trying!"
Here is my question... How long until the Titans realize Callahan is not ready to be a head coach right now?
Jim: Hi Bob. I appreciate you coming back to the well, when things aren't going so well.
I know Brian has taken a lot of heat already this season. I understand why, and he does, too.
I'll say this: Accountability has not been a problem for him. He has owned his mistakes.
Benny Carter from Memphis, Tennessee
Question: Hey Jim… I can't believe I'm dumb enough to drive over here from Memphis to witness Callahan butchering clock management again. Just take my question from two weeks ago and republish it.. Nothing from it has changed. Just love to hear your thoughts.. Thank you..
Jim: Hey Benny. Remind me, What was your question again?
Have a great week everyone!
